Guard rapes woman while returning from vigil

Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate Court

A security man, Kelly Ochuko, has been accused of raping a 24-year-old lady, Tivere, while she was returning from a vigil at the Synagogue Church of All Nation.

The police said the incident happened around 2am on Mutiatu Street, Ikotun, Lagos State.

It was learnt that the victim had travelled to Lagos from Sapele, Delta State, to participate in the Pastor Temitope Joshua’s midnight programme.

Around 2am, she had left for her lodgings when 27-year-old Ochukwo allegedly accosted her.

The security man, who was employed by the Igando Landlord’s Association to guard the area, reportedly threatened to harm the victim with a cutlass.

She reportedly yielded and followed him into an uncompleted building where the act took place.

After having carnal knowledge of the 24-year-old, Ochuko was said to have pleaded with her to marry him, and exchanged phone numbers with her that night.

After being freed, the victim approached some policemen she saw at a junction and narrated her ordeal to them.

The policemen were said to have plotted with Tivere to call Ochukwo  to see her off to the park where she would board a bus back to Sapele.

The unsuspecting Ochukwo was said to have come out to see off his ‘lover’, only to be arrested by the police.

He was arraigned before an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court, Lagos State on two counts of rape.

The charge reads, “That you, Kelly Ochuko, on February 3, 2014 at about 2am, on 5, Mutiatu Street, Ikotun Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District, did forcefully have sexual intercourse with one Tivere, aged 24 years without her consent….”

“That you did threaten one Tivere with a cutlass while trying to have forceful carnal knowledge of her without her consent….”

The police prosecutor, Corporal Cyriacus Osuji, said the offence was punishable under sections 258(1), 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.

Ochuko pleaded not guilty to the charge and elected summary trial.

The magistrate, Ms Y.B Badejo-Okusanya, admitted him to bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum.

“The sureties must be resident in Lagos, gainfully employed and must present two years tax clearance. The addresses and means of livelihood of the sureties must also be verified,” she added.

The matter was adjourned till March 4, 2014.

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